The Egyptians influenced monuments can be found in almost every cemetery that was founded from the 1840s and 50s on to present day. Napoleon's 1798-99 Egyptian campaigns and the discoveries at the tombs of the Pharaohs led to a resurgence of interest in the ancient Egyptian culture. And it can be seen in our cemeteries and many other places.

(Located at Webb City Cemetery in Webb City, MO)

Obelisks are one of the most popular types of Egyptian influenced markers. You can see them in just about any cemetery. They were considered tasteful with their pure uplifting lines and associated with ancient greatness. They were also able to be used in relatively small spaces and less costly than the larger and more elaborately sculpted monuments.

Here are a few of the larger Egyptian influences mausoleums I have found.

Potter’s field -- A place for the burial of indigent or unknown persons. The term derives from a Biblical reference, Matthew 27.7, where, with regard to Judas throwing down the silver to betray Jesus, is written, “And they [priests] took counsel, and bought with them [the pieces of silver] the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.”

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

In loving memory of our beloved son. Who was murdered by a traitor and coward, whose name is not worthy to appear here.

(Unable to read the lower part of the stone)

Upon researching the name here is what I was able to find.

Perry Journal, Oklahoma, 26 Dec 1901: Chas McKnight, a gambler of Shawnee, shot and killed Leonard Sims and J.C. Hufstedler last Saturday night at Shawnee. Sims attacked McKnight with a knife when the latter drew a revolver and fired, the first shot killing Hufstedler, who was an innocent bystander. The second shot killed Sims. Self defense will be the plea of McKnight. It is said the quarrel started over a woman.

An interesting little tidbit of information, This epitaph is also on Jesse James' headstone.

I emailed the historical society in the area trying to find any other information but have had no response.

Monday, June 14, 2010

This information is taken from Soul in the Stone Cemetery Art From America's Heartland by John Gary Brown and was accompanied by a great photograph.

"A memorial to the Morrison brothers recalls their short lives as invalids, one confined to a wheelchair and the other to his crib. The chair's wheels are broken by design, but the meaning is not altogether clear. They may symbolize broken lives and impermanence of all earthly things. On the other hand, they could represent the child's freedom from his earthly prison of pain and illness. This striking but quickly deteriorating monument is at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis. The impact of this image is unusually morose for an American monument.. The children's eyes seem to be full of uncomprehending terror, bringing to mind the bitter, nihilistic makers that haunt some of Europe's metropolitan cemeteries."

I was so intrigued by the photograph and the description of this specific monument I had to go see it for myself. I definitely wasn't disappointed. My photos are not the best, it was over cast and rainy when I went.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Almost every cemetery I have been to this summer I have seen this same species of bird. He has flown away everytime I get my camera up and ready. But I was victorious yesterday! Here he is in all his splendor.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Many birds nest on the ground and graveyards are a great place for them to nest. This is a Kildeer nest that was located in between the markers. The mother bird was doing the I'm hurt dance so I started immediately watching for the nest. If you are not familiar with Killdeers they have an interesting response when you get close to the nest. They will stick out one wing and act like it's broke and if you approach them the will run a little ways and do it again. This is how they draw predators away.

Cohen Hands - On Jewish tombstones you will sometimes see a symbol showing two hands arranged for the Priestly Blessing. This is a symbol of the Kohen or Cohen (Hebrew for priest). The plural form is Kohanim or Cohanim. Kohanim are assumed to be direct male descendants of Aaron, who was the first Kohen and the brother of Moses. Some Jewish surnames frequently associated with this symbol are Conn or Cohn (Kohn), Cahn (Kahn), and Cohen (Kohen), but you will find the symbol on the grave markers of people with other surnames. Today families can sometimes verify a priestly lineage from the tombstones of ancestors that have this symbol.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Captain Isaiah Sellers (1802-1864)- Captain Sellers was the most famous of the steamboat men plying the Mississippi between St. Louis and New Orleans for more than 40 years. He was the first man to use the pseudonym, “Mark Twain”, and after his death, Samuel L. Clemens adopted the same nom de plume because it always stood for truthful writing, as Clemons explains in his “ Life on the Mississippi”, Captain Sellers tombstone depicts the captain standing at the wheel of his riverboat.

Resting in this plot is Alexander Evan Conway Milgrim. He was a 22 year old much loved young father whose family was perplexed with what kind of monument should be made to commemorate his life. So perplexed that it took them six years to finally have this marker placed on his grave site. But this was not his original resting place. He was buried in another area of Laurel Hill Cemetery for six years. They had him moved to accommodate the size of this marker.

This marker is made of beautifully inlaid tiles to create a map showing Europe and Africa on one side and America on the other. A red line traces the family's migration from northern Africa to the United States.

My photograph does not do the monument justice. Its much prettier in person.

My friend Theresa and I set out one blustery and cold morning in December for a day of explorations in the local cemeteries. Little did I know this would turn into an experience of the paranormal kind.

We pulled up to the gate at Stone Cemetery in Noel, MO. We sat in the van for a few minutes trying to decide weather or not we wanted to brave the cold for this small of a cemetery or come back when it was warmer. We decide what the heck we were here might as well.

Armed with a warm hoodie, a pair of fingerless gloves and my camera I climbed out of the van. As I approached the gate I got an odd feeling, like I was being watched. I turned around to see if Theresa was watching me. Nope, she was busying herself by getting her belongings from the back seat. I swung open the gate and head towards the back of the cemetery. Glancing about half way through the cemetery, trying to determine my route, I noticed these stones.

This cemetery sits in a lot surrounded by houses on all sides and if you look between the houses you can see the High School. So it is not in a remote out of the way place. It is mowed but as far as being maintained, its not. According to the website Historic Washington County Arkansas an effort is underway by the Pendleton Chapter of Daughters of the American Colonists to have the City of Springdale "claim ownership of this cemetery so that it may be honorably preserved.." But as of 2010 it continues to be forgotten.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Columbariums are structures used to store cremated remains above the ground for memorialization purposes. Community and church cemeteries, as well as, families and individuals use Columbariums. Many community and church cemeteries have Columbariums installed to save space.